Dual-mode keypad for a mobile device

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for implementing a dual-mode keypad for a mobile device. The keypad may operate in a telephony mode and a text-entry mode. The keypad may include a plurality of dual-mode keys that each include an associated telephony character and at least one associated text-entry character. The dual-mode keys may include one or more toggle keys, with each toggle key having a plurality of associated text-entry characters and one associated telephony character. The dual-mode keys may be partially covered by the keypad surface so that a plurality of key surfaces extend from the key and protrude through the keypad surface. In text-entry mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to input text-entry characters. In telephony mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to input telephony characters.

FIELD

The technology described in this patent document relates generally tothe field of input systems for electronic devices. More particularly,the patent document describes a dual-mode keypad that is especiallywell-suited for use in a mobile device.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices that include a combined text-entry keypad and a telephonykeypad are known in this field. Examples of such mobile devices includecellular telephones, wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs),two-way paging devices, and others. However, combining atraditional-style text-entry keypad (e.g., a QWERTY-style keypad) with atraditional-style telephony keypad on the same mobile device typicallyinvolves an ergonomic compromise between having smaller keys on a fulltext-entry keypad or larger keys on a reduced keypad.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methodsare provided for implementing a dual-mode keypad for a mobile device.The keypad may operate in a telephony mode and a text-entry mode. Thekeypad may include a plurality of dual-mode keys that each include anassociated telephony character and at least one associated text-entrycharacter. The dual-mode keys may include one or more toggle keys, witheach toggle key having a plurality of associated text-entry charactersand one associated telephony character. The dual-mode keys may bepartially covered by the keypad surface so that a plurality of keysurfaces extend from the key and protrude through the keypad surface. Intext-entry mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to input text-entrycharacters. In telephony mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to inputtelephony characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile device having an example dual-modekeypad.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mobile device having another exampledual-mode keypad.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example toggle key having threeinput switches.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example toggle key having twoinput switches.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example mobile device that may include adual-mode keypad.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a mobile device having an exampletelephone-style dual-mode keypad.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a mobile device having another exampledual-mode keypad with dual-mode keys that are partially covered by thekeypad surface.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example partially-covered togglekey having three input switches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a front view of amobile device 100 having an example dual-mode keypad 102. The dual-modekeypad 102 includes a plurality of dual-mode keys 104-115, a pluralityof single-mode keys 116-120, and a plurality of functional keys 121-123.The dual-mode keys 104-115 each include a telephony character and atleast one text-entry character. For example, dual-mode key 112 includesthe telephony character “9” and the text-entry character “M.” Thesingle-mode keys 116-120 each include at least one text-entry character.

In operation, the mobile device 100 is configured to operate in atelephony mode and a text-entry mode. The telephony characters may beinput when the mobile device 100 is in telephony mode, and thetext-entry characters may be input when the mobile device 100 is intext-entry mode. The functional keys 121-123 may be configured tooperate in both the telephony mode and the text-entry mode, oralternatively one or more of the functional keys 121-123 may be operablein only the telephony mode or the text-entry mode. In this manner, thedual-mode keypad 102 has two distinct ergonomics depending upon the modeof the mobile device 100. Preferably, the telephony characters arearranged to provide a traditional telephone keypad layout when thedevice 100 is in telephony mode, and the text-entry characters arearranged to provide a traditional keyboard layout (e.g., a QWERTYkeyboard) when the device 100 is in text-entry mode. The text-entrycharacters are preferably arranged in the pattern of a QWERTY-stylekeyboard, but could alternatively be arranged in other keyboardpatterns, such as a DVORAK style keyboard pattern, an alphabetic stylekeyboard pattern, a QWERTZ style keyboard pattern, an AZERTY stylekeyboard pattern, or others.

In addition, the keypad 102 includes a plurality of toggle keys 104-111,116-119 that each include two associated text-entry characters. Forexample, toggle key 104 includes the text-entry characters “E” and “R.”For each toggle key 104-111, 116-119, a first text-entry character maybe input when a first portion of the key is pressed and a secondtext-entry character may be input when a second portion of the key ispressed. For example, if the left-hand portion of toggle key 104 ispressed (in text-entry mode), then the text-entry character “E” isinput. If the right-hand portion of toggle key 104 is pressed (intext-entry mode), then the text-entry character “R” is input to thedevice 100. If the toggle key also includes an associated telephonycharacter, then the telephony character may be input while in telephonymode by pressing any portion of the key. For example, if the mobiledevice 100 is in telephony mode, then the telephony character “1” may beinput by pressing any portion of toggle key 104. Example toggle keys aredescribed below in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The mobile device 100 may also include a predictive text computerprogram that is used in conjunction with the dual-mode keypad 102. Apredictive text computer program may, for example, be used to predict acomplete word or phrase from one or more keystrokes. In addition, thepredictive text computer program may operate without regard to whichportion of a toggle key is pressed. For example, when any portion of thetoggle key 104 is pressed, a predictive text computer program mayattempt to predict a desired word or phrase that includes either thetext-entry character “E” or “R.” In this manner, text may be input morequickly while in text-entry mode, without requiring a user to select theproper portion of the toggle keys. If the predictive text computerprogram does not successfully predict a desired word or phrase, thentext-entry characters may be entered more precisely, albeit more slowly,by selecting the appropriate characters on the toggle keys 104-111,116-119. An example predictive text computer program is described in thefollowing co-owned patent applications, which are incorporated herein byreference: “Customizable Predictive Text Method For Reduced Keyboards,”U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/397,680, filed Jul. 23,2002; and “Systems and Methods of Building and Using Custom Word Lists,”International Patent Application S/N PCT/CA03/01103, filed Jul. 23,2003.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mobile device 200 having one alternativeexample dual-mode keypad 202. This dual-mode keypad 202 is similar tothe keypad 102 described above with reference to FIG. 1, except thatonly the dual-mode keys 204-215 in this example keypad 202 includetoggle keys. That is, the single-mode keys 216-223 in this example eachhave only one associated character. In addition, the dual-mode keys204-215 in this example keypad 202 are larger than the single-mode keysand functional keys to provide a prominent telephone keypad.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example toggle key having abutton 300 and three input switches 302, 304, 306. Also shown is avertical reference 308 that bisects the button 300 to illustrate aleft-hand portion of the key and a right-hand portion of the key. Inrelation to the vertical reference 308, the three switches include aleft-most switch 302, a right-most switch 304 and a center switch 306.The switches 302, 304, 306 may, for example, be dome switches that areengaged by pressing a portion of the button 300. The button 300 may, forexample, be a rigid member that pivots at the vertical reference 308. Itshould be understood, however, that other types of switches and buttonsmay also be similarly employed.

In operation, if the button 300 is pressed to the left of the verticalreference 308, then the left-most switch 302 and the center switch 306are engaged. If the button 300 is pressed to the right of the verticalreference 308, then the right-most switch 304 and the center switch 306are engaged. If the center of the button 300 is pressed at the verticalreference 308, then the center switch 306 is engaged, and the left-mostswitch 302 and/or the right-most switch 304 may also be engaged.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the toggle key 300may have an associated telephony character and two associated text-entrycharacters. If the mobile device is in telephony mode, then thetelephony character may be input by engaging the center switch 306.Thus, the telephony character may be input without regard to whichportion of the button 300 is pressed. If the mobile device is intext-entry mode, then one of the associated text-entry characters may beinput by engaging the left-most switch 302 and the other associatedtext-entry character may be input by engaging the right-most switch 304.Thus, the input of a particular text-entry character is dependent uponwhich section of the button 300 is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example toggle key having abutton 350 and two input switches 352, 354. Also shown is a verticalreference 356 that bisects the button 350 to illustrate a left-handportion of the key and a right-hand portion of the key. In relation tothe vertical reference 356, the two switches include a left-most switch352 and a right-most switch 354.

The toggle key 350, 352, 354 shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the togglekey described above with reference to FIG. 3, but does not include acenter switch 306. Thus, if the button 350 is pressed to the right ofthe vertical reference 356, only the right-most switch 354 is engaged,and if the button 350 is pressed to the left of the vertical reference356, only the left-most switch 352 is engaged. If the mobile device isin telephony mode, then an associated telephony character may be inputby engaging either or both of the switches 352, 352. If the mobiledevice is in text-entry mode, then one associated text-entry charactermay be input by engaging the left-most switch 352, and anotherassociated text-entry character may be input by engaging the right-mostswitch 354.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example mobile device 700 having adual-mode keypad 702 arranged in the pattern of a typicaltelephony-style keypad. The dual-mode keypad 702 includes a plurality ofdual-mode keys 706-713, and a plurality of single-mode keys 704, 705,714, 715. The dual-mode keys 706-713 each include a telephony characterand a plurality of text-entry characters. For example, the dual-mode key706 includes the telephony character “2” and the text-entry characters“A,” “B”, and “C.” The single-mode keys 704, 705, 714, 715 each includea telephony character.

In operation, the text-entry characters may be input to the mobiledevice 700 while the device 700 is in text-entry mode, and the telephonycharacters may be input while the device 700 is in telephony mode.Similar to a traditional telephony-style keypad, the dual-mode keys706-713 each include either three or four text-entry characters. Intext-entry mode, the text-entry characters may be input by pressing acorresponding portion of the dual-mode key 706-713. In telephony mode,the telephony characters may be input by pressing any portion of adual-mode key 706-713.

The illustrated dual-mode keys 706-713 may be similar to the dual modekeys described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, with an additionalnumber of input switches to correspond with the additional number oftext-entry characters on a particular key. For example, dual-mode key706 may include an input switch for each of the three associatedtext-entry characters, and may also include a center input switch forinputting the telephony character. The input switches corresponding tothe text-entry characters may be positioned such that they are engagedby pressing a portion of the key 706 on which the desired text-entrycharacter is printed. The center input switch may be engaged by pressingany portion of the key 706. Alternatively, the dual mode keys 706-713may include input switches corresponding to the text-entry characters,but no center input switch. If no center input switch is included, thenthe telephony character may be input while in telephony mode by engagingany one or more of the input switches.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a mobile device 800 having another alternativeexample dual-mode keypad 802. Dual-mode key surfaces 804-840 operate toinput textual characters when in text mode, and telephony characterswhen in telephone mode. Single-mode keys 842-860 operate to input eithertextual or telephony characters according to their label. Functionalkeys 862-868 operate to input functional commands according to theirlabel. The dual-mode keypad 802 is similar to the keypad 102 describedabove with reference to FIG. 1, except that only the dual-mode keysurfaces 804-838 in this example keypad 802 include toggle keys. Thatis, the single-mode keys 842-860 in this example each have only oneassociated character. Furthermore, each of the dual-mode key surfaces804-840 have only one associated character as well. Additionally, thetelephony characters are partially printed on the keypad surface 802(e.g. the surface of the device housing) and partially printed on thedual-mode keys 804-840. The 0 telephony character may be printedentirely on the space/0 dual mode key 840.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example toggle key 910 of theexample keypad 800 shown in FIG. 7. The toggle key has a first keysurface 900 and a second key surface 901. The toggle key also has afirst switch 902, a second switch 906, and a third switch 904. A portionof the keypad surface 908 partially covers the toggle key 910. Thisportion of the keypad surface 908 divides the toggle key 910 into afirst key surface 900 and a second key surface 901. The first and secondkey surfaces 900, 901 extend from the toggle key 910 and protrude fromthe key surface 908. The keypad surface 802 may be the part of thehousing of the mobile device 800 that surrounds the keys. The keypadsurface 802 may also be a separate surface that is not physically partof the rest of the housing of the mobile device 800, but is connected tothe housing.

Also shown in FIG. 8 is a vertical reference 920 that bisects the togglekey 910 to illustrate a left-hand portion of the key and a right-handportion of the key. In relation to the vertical reference 920, theleft-most key surface is the first key surface 900, and the right-mostkey surface is the second key surface 901. Also in relation to thevertical reference, the left-most switch is the first switch 902, theright-most switch is the second switch 906 and the center switch is thethird switch 904.

The switches 902, 904, 906 may, for example, be dome switches that areengaged by pressing a portion of the toggle key 910. The toggle key 910may, for example, be a rigid member that pivots at the verticalreference 920. It should be understood, however, that other types ofswitches may also be similarly employed.

In operation, if the first key surface 900 is pressed, then the firstswitch 902 and the third switch 904 are engaged. If the second keysurface 901 is pressed, then the second switch 906 and the third switch904 are engaged. The key surfaces 900 and 901 are placed close enough sothat a normal-sized human finger can press both key surfaces 900 and 901at the same time by centering the finger on the vertical reference 920.If both key surfaces 900 and 901 are pressed at the same time then thethird switch 306 is engaged, and the first switch 902 and/or the secondswitch 906 may also be engaged.

If the mobile device is in telephony mode, then the telephony charactermay be input by engaging the third switch 904. Telephone characters mayalso be input by engaging the third switch 904 plus either the firstswitch 902 or the second switch 906. Thus, the telephony character maybe input without regard to which portion of the toggle key 910 ispressed. Pushing a finger down at the vertical reference 920 so that thefinger pushes both the first key surface 900 and the second key surface901 and rests on the keypad surface 908 may be the best way to ensurethat the third switch 904 is activated. For example, with reference toFIG. 7, a telephony character may be input by placing a finger on anyone of the printed telephony characters and depressing the dual-mode keyswitches.

The dual-mode toggle key 910 may have an associated telephony characterprinted at least partly on the portion of the keypad surface 908 betweenthe first key surface 900 and the second key surface 901 centered at thevertical reference 920. This encourages pressing the finger down at thevertical reference 920 to input the telephony character. As shown inFIG. 7 a circle around the telephony character may be printed partiallyon the key surfaces on either side of the telephony character. Anassociated textual character may be printed on each of the key surfaces.

If the mobile device is in text-entry mode, then one of the associatedtext-entry characters may be input by engaging the first switch 902 andanother associated text-entry character may be input by engaging thethird switch 904. Thus, the input of a particular text-entry characteris dependent upon which section of the toggle key 910 is pressed.

In another example, a toggle key, similar to that shown in FIG. 8, maybe included in which the third key provides a tactile response. Thetactile response of the center key (e.g., a click) may, for example, beincluded to give the dual-mode keypad the feel of a typical telephonykeypad.

In one example, the third key may provide only a tactile response and noelectrical input. In this case, the toggle key may operate to input thetelephony data only when both the first and second switches are engaged,while the third key is included only to improve the tactile responsewhen the key is pressed. Alternatively, the toggle key may operate toinput the telephony data when either the first or second switches areengaged, while the third key is included only to improve the tactileresponse when the key is pressed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example mobile device that may includeany one of the example dual-mode keypads, as described herein, or otherkeypads that are covered by the claims. The mobile device 400 includes aprocessing device 438, a communications subsystem 611, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 640, input/output devices 422, 428, 430, 432,434, 436, memory devices 424, 426, and various other device subsystems442. The mobile device 400 is preferably a two-way communication devicehaving voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, thedevice 400 preferably has the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet.

The processing device 438 controls the overall operation of the mobiledevice 400. Operating system software executed by the processing device438 is preferably stored in a persistent store, such as a flash memory424, but may also be stored in other types of memory devices, such as aread only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, systemsoftware, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as a random access memory(RAM) 426. Communication signals received by the mobile device 400 mayalso be stored to RAM 426.

The processing device 438, in addition to its operating systemfunctions, enables execution of software applications 424A-424N on thedevice 400. A predetermined set of applications that control basicdevice operations, such as data and voice communications 424A, 424B, maybe installed on the device 400 during manufacture. In addition, apersonal information manager (PIM) application may be installed duringmanufacture. The PIM is preferably capable of organizing and managingdata items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments,and task items. The PIM application is also preferably capable ofsending and receiving data items via a wireless network 419. Preferably,the PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updatedvia the wireless network 419 with the device user's corresponding dataitems stored or associated with a host computer system. An examplesystem and method for accomplishing these steps is disclosed in “SystemAnd Method For Pushing Information From A Host System To A Mobile DeviceHaving A Shared Electronic Address,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,694, which isowned by the assignee of the present application, and which isincorporated herein by reference.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communication subsystem 611, and possibly throughthe short-range communications subsystem 640. The communicationsubsystem 611 includes a receiver 612, a transmitter 414 and one or moreantennas 416, 418. In addition, the communication subsystem 611 alsoincludes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP)420, and local oscillators (LOs) 413. The specific design andimplementation of the communication subsystem 611 is dependent upon thecommunication network in which the mobile device 400 is intended tooperate. For example, a mobile device 400 may include a communicationsubsystem 611 designed to operate with the Mobitex™ DataTAC™ or GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and alsodesigned to operated with any of a variety of voice communicationnetworks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc. Other types of dataand voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilizedwith the mobile device 400.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks,mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personalidentification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRSnetworks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber oruser of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identitymodule, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on aGPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, the mobile device 400 may send and receive communicationsignals over the communication network 419. Signals received by theantenna 416 from the communication network 419 are routed to thereceiver 612, which provides for signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provideanalog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of thereceived signal allows the DSP to perform more complex communicationfunctions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner,signals to be transmitted to the network 419 are processed (e.g.,modulated and encoded) by the DSP 420 and are then provided to thetransmitter 414 for digital to analog conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to thecommunication network 419 (or networks) via the antenna 418.

In addition to processing communication signals, the DSP 420 providesfor receiver 612 and transmitter 414 control. For example, gains appliedto communication signals in the receiver 612 and transmitter 414 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithmsimplemented in the DSP 420.

In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 611and input to the processing device 438. The received signal is thenfurther processed by the processing device 438 for output to a display422, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 428. A deviceuser may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using akeyboard 438, such as the dual-mode keypad described above, and/or someother auxiliary I/O device 428, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, athumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data itemsmay then be transmitted over the communication network 419 via thecommunication subsystem 611.

In a voice communication mode, overall operation of the device issubstantially similar to the data communication mode, except thatreceived signals are output to a speaker 434, and signals fortransmission are generated by a microphone 436. Alternative voice oraudio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, mayalso be implemented on the device 400. In addition, the display 422 mayalso be utilized in voice communication mode, for example to display theidentity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or othervoice call related information.

The short-range communications subsystem 640 enables communicationbetween the mobile device 400 and other proximate systems or devices,which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, theshort-range communications subsystem 640 may include an infrared deviceand associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems anddevices.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the artto make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention mayinclude other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.

1. A dual-mode keypad, comprising: a keypad surface; and a plurality ofdual-mode keys including one or more toggle keys; one or more of thetoggle keys being partially covered by a portion of the keypad surfaceso that one or more of the toggle keys is divided by the keypad surfaceinto a plurality of key surfaces that extend from the toggle key andprotrude through the keypad surface, wherein each of the key surfacesinclude at least one associated text-entry character, and one or more ofthe key surfaces include at least one associated telephony character;the dual-mode keypad being operable in a telephony mode and a text-entrymode; when the dual-mode keypad is operating in text-entry mode, thedual-mode keys being operable to input the associated text-entrycharacters, the toggle keys each being operable to input a firsttext-entry character when a first key surface of the toggle key ispressed and to input a second text-entry character when a second keysurface of the toggle key is pressed; when the dual-mode keypad isoperating in telephony mode, the dual-mode keys being operable to inputthe associated telephony characters, the toggle keys each being operableto input one of the associated telephony characters when any portion ofthe toggle key is pressed.
 2. The dual-mode keypad of claim 1, whereinthe keypad surface covers a middle portion of at least one of the toggleswitches, and the keypad surface is positioned between the plurality ofkey surfaces that extend from the dual-mode key.
 3. The dual-mode keypadof claim 1, wherein at least one of the toggle keys are operable toinput a text-entry character when a third key surface of the toggle keyis pressed.
 4. The dual-mode keypad of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe toggle keys are operable to input a fourth text-entry character whena fourth key surface of the toggle key is pressed.
 5. The dual-modekeypad of claim 1, wherein the dual-mode keypad also includes one ormore functional keys that are operable in both the telephony mode andthe text-entry mode.
 6. The dual-mode keypad of claim 1, wherein thedual-mode keypad also includes one or more functional keys that areoperable in one of the telephony mode or the text-entry mode.
 7. Thedual-mode keypad of claim 1, wherein the dual-mode keypad also includesone or more single-mode keys each with an associated character andoperable to input the associated character when the mobile device is inone of the telephony mode or the text-entry mode.
 8. The dual-modekeypad of claim 1, wherein the text-entry characters are arranged in aQWERTY-style keyboard pattern.
 9. The dual-mode keypad of claim 1,wherein the text-entry characters are arranged in a keyboard patternselected from a group of keyboard patterns consisting of a DVORAK stylekeyboard pattern, an alphabetic style keyboard pattern, a QWERTZ stylekeyboard pattern, an AZERTY style keyboard pattern and combinationsthereof.
 10. The dual-mode keypad of claim 1, wherein the telephonycharacters are arranged in a telephony-style pattern.
 11. The dual-modekeypad of claim 1, wherein each toggle key includes a first switch thatis engaged when the key surface of the toggle key is pressed, a secondswitch that is engaged when the second key surface of the toggle key ispressed, and a third switch that is engaged when any portion of thetoggle key is pressed.
 12. The dual-mode keypad of claim 11, whereinwhen the dual-mode keypad is in the text-entry mode, the firsttext-entry character is input by engaging the first switch and thesecond text-entry character is input by engaging the second switch. 13.The dual-mode keypad of claim 11, wherein when the dual-mode keypad isin the telephony mode, the telephony character is input by engaging thethird switch plus either one of the first or second switches.
 14. Thedual-mode keypad of claim 11, wherein when the mobile device is in thetelephony mode, the telephony character is input by engaging either oneof the first or second switches.
 15. The dual-mode keypad of claim 11,wherein the third switch provides a tactile response when any portion ofthe toggle key is pressed.
 16. A mobile device having a dual-mode entrykeypad, comprising: a keypad surface; and a plurality of dual-mode keysincluding one or more toggle keys; wherein one or more of the togglekeys is partially covered by a portion of the keypad surface so that oneor more of the toggle keys is divided by the keypad surface into aplurality of key surfaces that extend from the toggle key and protrudethrough the keypad surface; wherein each of the key surfaces include atleast one associated text-entry character, and one or more of the keysurfaces include at least one associated telephony character; thedual-mode keypad is operable in a telephony mode and a text-entry mode;when the dual-mode keypad is operating in text-entry mode, the dual-modekeys being operable to input the associated text-entry characters, thetoggle keys each being operable to input a first text-entry characterwhen a first portion of the toggle key is pressed and to input a secondtext-entry character when a second portion of the toggle key is pressed,wherein each portion of the toggle key is associated with one of thedual-mode key surfaces; when the dual-mode keypad is operating intelephony mode, the dual-mode keys being operable to input theassociated telephony characters, the toggle keys each being operable toinput one of the associated telephony characters when any portion of thetoggle key is pressed; and further comprising a processing subsystem, amemory subsystem, and a communication subsystem, the processingsubsystem coupled to the memory subsystem and communication subsystemand operable to store and retrieve data in the memory subsystem, toexecute instructions stored in the memory subsystem, and to cause thecommunication subsystem to transmit and receive data over acommunication network.
 17. The mobile device of claim 16, furthercomprising: an executable predictive text program code stored in thememory subsystem and comprising instructions operable to cause themobile device to predict a complete word or phrase from one or moretext-entry characters input to the mobile device when the mobile deviceis in text-entry mode.
 18. The dual-mode keypad of claim 16, wherein thekeypad surface covers a middle portion of at least one of the toggleswitches, and the keypad surface is positioned between the plurality ofkey surfaces that extend from the dual-mode key.
 19. The mobile deviceof claim 16, wherein the dual-mode keypad also includes one or morefunctional keys that are operable in one of the telephony mode or thetext-entry mode.
 20. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein thedual-mode keypad also includes one or more single-mode keys, each withan associated character and operable to input the associated characterwhen the mobile device is in one of the telephony mode or the text-entrymode.